We've already heard some stats on ShopTo's Wii U preorder numbers, but it seems like the consumer reaction was even bigger than we expected!

ShopTo.net, the leading online entertainment retailer is reporting the highest pre-orders for a games console in the retailer's history following the global announcement of the Nintendo Wii U last week.

"The reaction has been phenomenal with 500 pre-orders in the first hour after the Wii U announcement on Thursday, and the following 48 hours saw similar levels of pre-orders as gamers rushed to secure their hardware for Christmas," explained ShopTo.net CEO Igor Cipolletta.

"Nintendo have followed up on their E3 promises to deliver exceptional family brands, hard core gamers favourites, such as Mass Effect 3, whilst also catering for the sports fan with FIFA 13."

The Wii U console will be launched across Europe on 30th November this year, with a great line-up of games at launch including New Super Mario Bros U, Zombie U and NintendoLand with Black Ops 2.